I'm sorry it took so long... UPDATE

I am sorry it took so very long for this update... I've been distracted and busy... aren't we all. I am updating starting from last April and the Calgary trip. I am not going to comment on every photo... I will try to put dates and some names... but the pics will have to do.

The video clips will be at the end of this blog... so scroll down if you want to by-pass the pictures (why you would want to by-pass all these breat pictures... I do not know.)


After a crazy long drive to Calgary teh kids burn off some steam playing at the school near Uncle Tom and Karen's house in Calgary.

Visiting Gramere

Calagry Zoo (lots of wild and crazy animals)

Cousin Mary and Sebastian

Richard was at home with the kids and dressing Sebastian for bed while Rya got her hand stuck in the closet. Sebastian cried too until Richard finally wondered why Sebastian was crying and found poor Rya hanging her hand from the closet. Now with Richard's hearing aid... it won't happen again.

Is there a Dr. in the house?

May 2008 at Bonniebrook beach

First time ice skating!!!

Sebastian loves to drive!

At Uncle Malcolm and Aunty Jen's house May long weekend

I love this. After the longweek... everyone was super tired.

Ripping out the old ugly gravel and bushes

In Ontario. We have lots more pictures but they are on a file I can't find. And most of the folks looking at the blog probably already have the camping pictures.

We had a fantastic summer vacay in Ontario with Richard's family.

We went to visit our friend's cottage on Baptiste lake and got to fly in his float plane. RYa loved it... Richard too!

The kids with our friends Lyle, and Arden

Rya doing a little air guitar with her best friend "Special Ed"

Swimming at Leslie's pool in Ontario

July

Playing in the box (of course)

Rya's early birthday present from Mociute

Sebastian and cousin Aidan on the hammock

Driving home from the airport after a long trip and a great vacation with the family.

Rya still clutching her gifts from Mociute

A little forshadowing perhaps.... mmm helmut.

My first attempt at blackberry jam.

YUMMY

Rya decorating her birthday cake!

Some pictures from Malcolm and Jen's wedding

August 9th 2008

Mid August last minute camping trip to Powel River.

The last tour with the MoHo.

PLaying at the park Powell River

Rya took this picture. I love it.

Well thats it for now... hopfully I will have another upadate before next year.

New Videos

Here is Rya telling Richard about her trip to the Aquarium with her friends Eden and Anna



Richard caught sleeping...



I have created a monster.



Waiting for the Ferry...



Dancing at the Aquarium to Bobs and Lolo

EASTER

Happy Easter! We had a great Easter weekend with Uncle Malcolm and Auntie Jen and our Cousin Alisha and cousins Gryphon and Macaleb. Chris was able to join us just in time for Easter dinner on Saturday after his sailboat race in North Vancouver.

Here is Mackie dying one of many awesome looking eggs and Rya working on her second egg after painting her first egg for about a half an hour. She wasn't very happy to give up the first egg and move on to the second.
Here are Auntie Jen and Gryphon the two most creative painters and dyers in the bunch

Uncle Malcolm was the favorite part of the weekend for the kids... us too! The boys and Rya spent most of the time out in the driveway playing on the scooter and the skateboards. Rya didn't want to miss out so Malcolm gave her some lessons... watch out she is a quick study!

v>

Rya also learned how to play "chase"

Doing some puzzles and chillin inside after a lot of running around outside

Sebastian can roll over now... but he isn't quite sure what to do with himself after. There is nothing wrong with just hanging around looking cute.

Easter Egg Hunt!

Finger painting!!!!

And a little dancing....

... And sitting...sort of.

February 2008

Here is the Dashingly handsome Sebastian!
I can't believe I ever thought those eyes might be brown.

Another little smile from our young man.
Here he is at his new favorite pastime the "Jumperoo"

Richard's Grandmother Vanda passed away on February 13th. It was a great loss to the family and time of sadness... with that brought the children together to spread a little JOY that only kids can.

Richard thought it would be nice for Rya to go with him to Ontario to say good bye and also to say hello to all her Ontario family. She has only seen her cousins once when she was just 4 months old. Mom and Sebastian were going to stay home. I was much more emotional about it than she was.

Rya loved the plane ride... and especially all the trets that came with it.
It was a long day and she fell asleep just before landing and stayed asleep until a few hours after making to to Mociute's house. She woke up a couple times in the night not knowing where she was and poor Teta Audra had to wake up old Dad both times. Somtimes its good to be Deaf!

The next day Rya met her cousins Ula, Sinead, and Liam. What a treat to have all these new friends to play with. From what I've been told... she stood back and watched more than played... She is sizing up everyone... this summer she will be right in the thick of the chaos and mayhem!

Teta Ramona was wise to bring new toys for the kids to keep them busy... even if only for a short while.

Rya's bath buddies Sinead and Ula

A nice post bath book with Uncle Damian!

Cousins Liam and Lachlan

Cousins Andrina, Sinead, Graydon, Aidan, Lachlan, Liam and Ula and great friend Meridian.

Rya speaks fondly of the "crunchie" snow. We don't get crunchie snow here... more like slooshie.

Saying goodbye to cousins Ula, Sinead adn Liam and Uncle Damian and Teta Audra.

The Paparazzi?

At her first hockey game with Mociute and Andrina watching cousin Graydon.

Hockey games are too long...

After the game at Andrina and Graydon's house for dinner and a little music?

Beanie Baby heaven?

Saying good bye to Teta Ramona and Uncle John and the boys.

It was a very busy, exciting 5 days but time to go home... someone needs a nap!!!
...And a face wash. I couldn't help but notice in most of the pictures Rya is in need of a face wash. Come on Dad!

Thanks for taking such good care of my family. It was so great to get them both home safely.

See you all in the summer!!!